In a nod to the baby's slightly late arrival, the prince said, "I'll remind him of his tardiness when he's a bit older."

The royal baby, born Monday, was brought out of the hospital to lusty cheers from a long-assembled crowd. Like most babies in the modern world, he was snapped into a car seat, which was belted into a waiting car, and he was whisked home with his father at the wheel. In his case, home means Kensington Palace.

Earlier, the royal infant received visits at the hospital from both sets of grandparents: Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla; and the duchess' parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.

The child was born Monday at 4:24 p.m. London time. The royal family announced the birth with a statement saying the duchess "was safely delivered of a son."

The infant instantly became third in line to the British throne, behind Charles and William, and all but assured that Britain, which has grown accustomed to having a queen for much of the last two centuries, will have a king for most of the next.

[For the record, 12:30 p.m. July 23: An earlier version of this post and headline quoted Prince William as saying his son has "got her lips." He actually said he has her "looks."]